Iowa nuclear plant gets $1.9 billion for Google AI power
NextEra Energy just got a $1.9 billion loan from the Department of Energy to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear plant in Iowa. Google, eyeing new AI data centers nearby, will use power from the refurbished 615-megawatt facility. Only a small chunk—50 megawatts—goes to the local grid. This move is part of a bigger push to revive old nuclear plants for tech’s growing appetite for electricity.
- $1.9 billion loan funds plant refurbishment
- Google will buy most of the plant's power
- Reopened plant expected to create thousands of jobs
- 615 megawatts total, 50 set aside for local grid
- DOE plans more mothballed nuclear restarts
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